9.20pm update: ‘Little Ben’ makes big noise at Brexit Day bask in Parliament Square

A modified Victorian cart featuring a small church bell and drum was responsible for much of the noise in Parliament Square.

Called Little Ben, the cart belongs to David and Nancy Waller, who have travelled down from Shropshire to take part in the Brexit Celebration.

Mr Waller, 59, said the cart cost about £500 to restore and build, thanks to a “Brexiteer” blacksmith who donated his services for free.

He said the bell, which people have been ringing throughout the evening, was found in a salvage yard but was originally forged at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London.

Mr Waller said: “We have come here because we are great supporters of democracy. At one stage we thought it was all over, but it ain’t now.”

8.40pm update: EU must deliver – says Commission chief on Brexit Day

Brexit shows the bloc must deliver for its citizens and its leaders must stand up for the project or else risk it

failing, the head of the European Union’s executive, Ursula von der Leyen, said today.

Britain leaves the EU at 2300 GMT on Friday after nearly half a century of close-knit cooperation, marking a victory for eurosceptics and dealing a major blow to post-World War Two European integration.

Reflecting on the lessons of Brexit, European Commission President von der Leyen told broadcaster ARD: “We must stand up for Europe, otherwise at some point we won’t have it any more.”

“Europe must deliver on the biggest questions – that’s what we need the European level for,” she added.

8.10pm update: Scots tell UK ‘we don’t want your Brexit!’

“We don’t want your Brexit” was the message for Boris Johnson at a rally outside the Scottish Parliament marking the UK leaving the EU.

Rallies and candlelit vigils are among events taking place across Scotland on Brexit day.

Leave A Light On gatherings are taking place in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Stirling, among other locations, as participants send a message to the EU not to forget Scotland.

SNP MP and former MEP Alyn Smith, who used a speech in the European Parliament to urge members to “leave a light on for Scotland”, told the crowd outside Holyrood: “Scotland is a European nation and European we shall remain.”

7.40pm update: Clouds that look like the UK spotted on Brexit Day sunset

Clouds that look like the UK have been spotted by eagle-eyed Twitter users as the sun sets on Brexit Day.

Social media users shared images of the clouds – albeit without Northern Ireland – that dances across the sky in the final hours of Britain’s membership in the EU.

7pm update: Scots defy Brexit to light their Government headquarters up in EU flag colours

Scotland has defied the result of the EU referendum and lit its Government headquarters up in the colours of the EU flag, sparking outrage.

The Scottish Government tweeted: “FM @NicolaSturgeon has asked our European friends and neighbours to #LeaveALightOn for Scotland.

“Tonight the Scottish Government headquarters in Edinburgh have been lit up in the colours of the EU flag.”

One commenter said: “Was there a vote on this??”

Another, referring to Nicola Sturgeon, added: “Tell her to get on with the day job.”

6.52pm update: Twitter turns on Theresa May after Brexit tweet

Theresa May has triggered a wave of derision on social media after hailing Britain’s departure from the EU – only for sceptics to tell the former Prime Minister: “You didn’t do anything!”

Mrs May, who was replaced by Boris Johnson in the summer, moved into Downing Street in 2016 after winning the race to replace David Cameron – but her tenure was marked by Parliamentary gridlock, an election in which she lost her overall majority, and a failure to deliver on the original deadline of March 29, 2019.

Nevertheless, she tweeted: “At 11pm tonight, Britain will leave the European Union.

“After more than three years, we can finally say that we have delivered on the result of the 2016 referendum and have kept faith with the British people.”

One commented: “You are having a laugh.

“You did everything you could to ditch Brexit. You shouldn’t even be in office.”

Another remarked: “We? You haven’t delivered anything Flower.”

6.40pm update: Huge crowds gather at Parliament Square for Brexit Day bash

Crowds have started to gather at Parliament Square in London ahead of the planned Brexit Celebration later this evening.

Dozens of people gathered around the Sir Winston Churchill statue, while others rang bells and banged a drum attached to a modified cart called “Little Ben”.

A music system has also been set up inside the back of a lorry on Parliament Street, with people dancing in a closed-off section of the street to music by Sir Tom Jones and Queen.

As one man walked through the crowd with an EU flag draped over his shoulders, another man carrying the Union flag shouted at him: “Go away loser.”

Among the crowds were dozens of television camera crews and journalists.

6.15pm update: Bitter Remainers scrawl across 50p coins in Brexit protest

Remainers are scrawling ‘I love EU’ across 50 pence coins in protest of Brexit.

Images on Twitter show the markings, with some giving tips on how to deface the coins.

Others are taking their Brexit hatred further by scrapping off the front and back of the 50p coin.

5.45pm update: Remainers hurl abuse as Ann Widdecombe and Brexit Party arrive in London

Brexit Party MEPs were met with abusive jeers from furious London Remainers as they alighted the Eurostar from Brussels at King’s Cross St Pancras on Friday afternoon.

Ann Widdecombe spearheaded an entourage of chipper British MEPs buoyed in the knowledge it would be their last-ever journey from Brussels to London as members of the European Union.

But as the group arrived on British soil they were heckled by angry members of the public.

One woman even threatened to spit at Ms Widdecombe.

5.31pm update: Macron issues scathing attack on Brexit hours before the UK leaves the EU

French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a scathing attack on Brexit hours before the UK officially leaves the EU.

Mr Macron said the 2016 EU referendum was based on “lies, exaggerations and cheques that were promised but never came”.

He added the EU must be “reformed deeply”.

5pm update: Ireland to take tough stance on post-Brexit talks

Ireland will take a very firm line in post-Brexit trade talks, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said.

Fishing and farming communities will be protected during the upcoming negotiations, the Irish premier pledged.

Around a third of Ireland’s fish like mackerel and prawns comes from UK waters.

Almost three quarters of UK fish is exported to the EU, the Taoiseach said.

The Republic has a budget surplus to cushion it if a hard Brexit happens at the end of the year and damaged the economy.

Mr Varadkar told Irish broadcaster RTE: “Having control of their own fishing grounds is not going to be much use to them unless they can export to the EU.

“That is why it gets tied up with trade and we are going to take a very firm line on that to make sure that we protect our coastal communities and our fishing industry.”

4.20pm update: EU mortgage approvals beat Brexit expectations

UK mortgage approvals beat expectations in December.

The Daily Telegraph reports that 67,200 were granted amid the so-called Brexit general election.

Just 65,600 mortgages were expected throughout the period of uncertainty.

4.09pm update: Brexit supporters burn EU flag in London demonstration

Brexit supporters have burned the European Union flag beside Downing Street in central London today as others jeered at pro-EU demonstrators in the final

hours before the United Kingdom is due to leave the bloc.

About 200-300 pro-European Union supporters were mocked by pro-Brexit supporters as they walked from Downing Street to the office of the European Commission in London.

Police formed a line to keep the two groups apart.

3.45pm update: Protesting Remainers hijack Churchill statue

Thousands of Remainers have flocked to the Winston Churchill statue in London to protest Brexit Day.

Remainers waved EU flags and marched through the streets in the hours before the UK finally leaves the bloc, with placards reading the words ‘we’ll be back!’.

3.12pm update: France and Italy causing Eurozone collapse

France and Italy have caused Eurozone growth to crumble as both Paris and Rome’s economies continue to shrink, it has emerged.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, economies in the two eu member state shrank unexpectedly with Spain beating expectations and the bloc’s overall growth recorded at a disappointing 0.1 percent.

2.38pm update: Remainers stage protest on Parliament Bridge

Remainers have set off flares in a shock protest in Westminster – just hours before Boris Johnson delivers on his promise and the UK leaves the European Union at 11pm.

Pictures have emerged showing protesters setting off the flares and holding a huge banner over the busy Westminster Bridge.

The banner reads: “Here to stay. Here to fight.”

1.28pm update: John Redwood warns UK Government to be ‘firm and strong’ in trade negotiations with EU

The Conservative MP and Brexiteer said: “The new Parliament has a clear majority to leave, and a clear majority that Leave means an exit from the single market and Customs Union as well as from the EU Treaty which we leave this week. That is all very positive.

“It is important now that the UK government is firm and strong, as well as polite and positive in its dealings with the EU.

“There must be no sacrifice of our fish, no offers of more money, no acceptance of continuing ECJ jurisdiction.

“They need a Free Trade Agreement more than we do, and are more likely to grant one if we are firm. The UK has given far too much ground in past negotiations under Mrs May.

“The new team should table a Free Trade Agreement and explain we do not have to pay to trade.”

12.45pm update: Keir Starmer vows to bring back freedom of movement for EU citizens

Labour leadership hopeful Keir Starmer has said he would “bring back” freedom of movement for EU nationals.

Sir Keir, the current frontrunner in the Labour leadership campaign, has said he would “make the case for freedom of movement” if he replaces Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

While giving a Brexit Day speech at Westminster Cathedral, the shadow Brexit minister urged Leave and Remain voters to come together and gave a passionate case for free movement.

He said: “We have to make the case for freedom of movement.”

12.42pm update: Boris Johnson to host Brexit Day reception in Downing Street

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said Guests will include cabinet ministers, No 10 advisers and civil servants, officials who were involved in the Brexit negotiations, and supporters of the 2016 campaign to leave the EU.

They will be served English sparkling wine and a selection of canapes including fillet of lamb on toast, Shropshire blue cheese, beef and Yorkshire pudding with horseradish sauce, mushrooms tarts and roast chicken skewers.

No 10 will be lit up with a clock counting down to Brexit at 11pm.

12.40pm update: Irish politician who cut off Farage’s mic claims some of his colleagues agreed with her

Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness, who is First Vice-President of the European Parliament, turned off Mr Farage’s mic mid-sentence during a speech about leaving the EU in the European Parliament earlier this week for disobeying parliament rules by waving a Union flag.

She could be heard saying: “Please sit down, resume your seats, put your flags away, you’re leaving.

“And take them with you if you’re leaving now. Goodbye.”

Ms McGuinness said: “The reason I cut the mic off was to stop a circus, it’s a parliament, not a circus.

“Politics is a serious business and Nigel Farage has used the platform of our parliament to destroy the European Union.

“If by doing what I did reinforces the dignity of the parliament, that’s my job.

“I would say that afterwards, some of the people in his grouping came over and said that they disliked what he did and that he did it.

“When you’re not in the chamber it can be hard to judge the moment, but I have to judge the moment carefully, and we have a rule in the house that no flags are to be shown except the two behind the podium, and the president insists on that, and I’m under orders.”

12.11pm update: Raise a pint to Brexit! Wetherspoons cut prices on 10 drinks to celebrate leaving EU

Weatherspoon pubs will sell cheaper drinks to mark Britain’s withdrawal from the EU today as chairman Tim Martin is “keen to celebrate Brexit”.

has slashed the prices of a number of European drinks today, in order to mark the historic day.

He told Express.co.uk the move was a “gesture of reconciliation” as the promotion offers customers a discount of around 60p on 10 drinks that originate from Europe and the UK, including the Spanish beer Estrella Galicia and Jameson Irish Whiskey.

The chairman of the popular food and drink chain said he expects today will be busier than usual, as “people will either be rejoicing or drowning their sorrows”.

11.58am update: EU’s longest-serving MEP dubs Brexit ‘profound mistake’

Liberal Democrat Bill Newton Dunn, who served in the first European Parliament in 1979, said he is very worried for “the man on the street” after Brexit if the UK is hit by job losses and price hikes.

He told the PA news agency: “I think the rich Tories will look after themselves – they’ve got the tax havens.

“But it is the man in the street in the UK who may lose his job or the prices might start rising if sterling falls, so I am worried.”

He added: “I am very, very worried for the UK.

“I think it is a profound mistake in history, if you are going to do something you need to have a plan for what you are going to do next.”

11.37am update: Gold commemorative Brexit 50p coins already sold out

The coins, which were produced in a limited edition of 1,500 and are priced at £945, were no longer available to buy from there Royal Mint website this morning.

A limited-edition two-coin set – with a historic 1973 50p marking the UK’s accession into the European Economic Community and a new 2020 50p marking the withdrawal from the European Union – has also sold out.

The Royal Mint was operating a queueing system just to get on its website this morning as demand for the coins surged.

Around three million Brexit 50p coins were entering banks, post offices and shops.

A further seven million of the coins, minted to mark the UK’s departure from the EU, will enter circulation later this year.

10.36am update: Ireland to take ‘very firm line’ in post-Brexit trade talks – Varadkar

Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has warned the country will take a “very firm line” in post-Brexit trade talks and has pledged to protect the fishing and farming communities in the upcoming negotiations.

Around a third of Ireland’s fish, such as mackerel and prawns, come from UK waters, while the Taoiseach added almost three quarters of UK fish are exported to the EU.

He told Irish broadcaster RTE: “Having control of their own fishing grounds is not going to be much use to them unless they can export to the EU.

“That is why it gets tied up with trade and we are going to take a very firm line on that to make sure that we protect our coastal communities and our fishing industry.”

Mr Varadkar added: “It is not done yet, it is not over and the next phase is the negotiation of the trade agreement between the EU and UK.

“That is absolutely essential for Irish farmers, for the rural economy, for our fishermen, for 200,000 people working in export industries across Ireland and it is also going to be essential in terms of getting the rating, the revenues and the strong economy that we need to invest in health and housing.”

10.27am update: SNP to double campaign budget to push for second Scottish independence vote

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Our party campaign is therefore ready to ramp up.

“We aim to double the SNP campaign budget this year to support new independence materials, local newspaper adverts and a new campaign film focused on undecided voters.

“It is vital that as we campaign we listen and engage respectfully.

“There are many people out there who voted No in 2014 now thinking about independence differently in light of Brexit.

“We must show that we understand the complexity of the issues they grapple with and that, for many, emotions will be mixed.

“So, we must make our case with passion but also with patience and respect. We must never stoop to the level of our political opponents.”

10.23am update: How leading politicians involved in Brexit will be celebrating

Matt Chorley, editor of The Times’ Red Box podcast, has been asking senior figures involved in Brexit how they will celebrate tonight.

Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Strangely as a Remainer I want to paint the town red. So bloody fed up with it.”

Theresa May has constituency engagements, but Said Lidington, who was the former Prime Minister’s deputy, said he will be “playing some music: Bach, Mahler or Beethoven – to remind myself that we may be leaving the EU but will always be part of Europe”.

When asked how he is marking Brexit, Sir Keir Starmer, the frontrunner in the Labour leadership race, snapped: “I don’t know!

“My diary is completely controlled by my campaign team. I suspect I’ll be spending the evening in a hotel bar in Bristol preparing for the following day’s leadership hustings.”

Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson will be “listening to an AC/DC tribute band in Birmingham. As the lyrics go : ‘dirty deeds, done dirt cheap’, while Ruth Davidson said it is a “normal working day for me”.

Peter Mandelson will be “reflecting on the huge success of Britain’s past membership of the EU and the need to maintain close ties to those with whom we have such strong common interests”.

But when David Cameron, who called the referendum in 2016 and quit as Prime Minister following the Brexit vote, would be doing, he replied: “Ha! Nice try!”

10.10am update: Brexit Day ‘not to be celebrated’ – Gibraltar Chief Minister

Fabian Picardo told Spanish TVE: “My government and most of the citizens of Gibraltar have deep regrets about what is about to happen.

“For us, today is not a day to be celebrated and I know it is the same for a lot of people in the Spanish area around Gibraltar who also wanted Gibraltar to stay in the EU.”

10.08am update: ‘Sadness will be tinged with anger’ over Brexit – Sturgeon

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Tonight, the UK will leave the European Union. That will be a moment of profound sadness for many of us across the UK.

And here in Scotland, given that it is happening against the will of the vast majority of us, that sadness will be tinged with anger.

“I want to focus on something much more important. Hope of a different and better future for Scotland.

“After tonight, that future is only open to us with independence. Our task is to persuade a majority of people in Scotland to choose it.”

10.04am update: Von der Leyen in fresh warning to UK over trade deal talks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the BBC: “We want to work together as close as possible. The crucial part is the single market.

“There is a clear trade-off – the closer the UK wants to be to the single market, the more they have to respect the rules of the single market.

“If they do not want to respect the rules and the standards of the single market, the more distant, of course, they will be.

“So, this is the room where we have to negotiate.”

9.38am update: ‘We can make a success of the choice we make’ – David Cameron

The former Prime Minister, who called the 2016 referendum and quit after the vote for Brexit, told Sky News: “It’s obviously a very big day for our country.

“I always accepted the referendum result and knew this day would come.

“We are one of the biggest economies in the world – we can make a success of the choice that we make and I’m sure that’s exactly what we will do.”

9.33am update: ‘It’s an emotional day’ – Ursula von der Leyen

The European Commission President told the BBC: “It is a story of old friends and new beginnings now.

“It is an emotional day but I’m looking forward to the next stage.”

Ms von der Leyen also warned negotiations on a future trade deal will be “tough” but added “we want to be the closest friends and partners you can think of”.

9.28am update: EU Presidents say they had ‘always deeply regretted’ the UK’s decision to leave

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council leader Charles Michel and European Parliament President David Sassoli wrote in a joint letter published in several newspapers: For us, today will inevitably be a day of reflection and mixed emotions – as it will for so many.

“Our thoughts are with all of those who have helped to make the EU what it is today.

“Those who are concerned about their future or disappointed to see the UK leave.

“Those British members of our institutions who helped to shape policies that made lives better for millions of Europeans.

“We will think of the UK and its people, their creativity, ingenuity, culture, and traditions, that have been a vital part of our union’s tapestry.”

9.23am update: ‘Every choice has a consequence’ – EU leaders warn UK of Brexit consequences

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council leader Charles Michel and European Parliament President David Sassoli said in a joint letter published in several newspapers the three bodies would do all in their power to make the EU’s future partnership with Britain a success.

But they warned the closeness of that partnership would hinge on decisions to be taken in the 11-month transitional period, “because every choice has a consequence”.

They wrote: “Without the free movement of people, there can be no free movement of capital, goods and services.

“Without a level playing field on environment, labour, taxation and state aid, there cannot be the highest quality access to the single market.

“Without being a member, you cannot retain the benefits of membership.”

9.18am update: ‘Chaos’ at Dublin Port if post-Brexit processes don’t work

Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said three large ferries arrive each day, each unloading 8km of trucks in a 15-minute period.

He warned: “What we need now for the next 12 months is more intensive negotiation to try to make sure that potential friction – that Dublin Port would be at the coalface of – is minimised to the maximum extent possible,” he said.

The Tanaiste added: “There is the potential for chaos here in terms of logjams and traffic if the new systems don’t work. I am confident that they will.

“Ireland has come together to work together to make sure that our country is as ready for the new reality as possible and, on Brexit day, I think it is important to remind everybody of the fundamental change that we are now preparing for in the context of the relationship between Ireland and the UK from a trading perspective.

“From next Monday on, the second half of the negotiations will begin to make sure that we get a trade deal and arrangement in place that can allow the 17 billion euro of trade between Ireland and UK each year to continue to be facilitated, and the 200,000 jobs connected with that trade be protected, and the 40,000 Irish companies that trade with the UK every month, many of whom do it every single week or day, that that can continue in a post-Brexit environment.”

9.14am update: EU plan for trade talks with UK to be revealed on Monday

BBC Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming tweeted: “The EU’s draft mandate for negotiations with the UK will be launched with a press conference by @michelbarnier on Monday.”

Boris Johnson wants to agree a full trade deal with the EU before the end of the transition period in December 2020.

But several EU leaders have warned this tight timeframe makes that ambition impossible to achieve.

8.57am update: Australia eyeing post-Brexit trade deal by the end of 2020

Australia wants to finalise a post-Brexit trade agreement with the UK before the end of this year, a government minister has said.

The Australian minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said Canberra was looking to an agreement which “essentially eliminated tariffs, quotas, trade barriers as much as is possible”.

In a boost to Boris Johnson, he added Australia was ready to go “as soon as the UK was ready to start”.

Two-way trade between the UK and Australia was worth £13.8billion in 2018, according to the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Mr Birmingham told ABC Radio Adelaide that Brexit has felt like “a never-ending story” but added there was desire to strike an agreement.

“Australia would love to see an agreement that essentially eliminated tariffs, quotas, trade barriers as much as is possible.

“But of course it’s a negotiation and that will depend upon the perspective that the UK take. Now, there’s goodwill on both sides to get this agreement done quickly.

“I think there is goodwill for it to be an ambitious agreement, but just how far the UK will go in terms of tariff and quota elimination, we’ll have to see.”

He added: “These types of trade agreements often take many years, but I have reinforced to our trade officials – and I think the same is felt on the UK side – that everyone wants to seize the goodwill, the momentum that’s there and also to try to get it done before that final deadline (at the end of 2020).”

8.45am update: Queen’s Brexit Day plans REVEALED

The Queen will spend the day at Sandringhamn, her private estate in Norfolk, where she is spending her annual winter break.

Her Majesty will spend the day as normal, dealing with official documents, such as Cabinet and State papers, delivered to her in her famous “red boxes”.

She may also be sending birthday wishes to her distant cousin Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, formerly Queen Beatrix, who celebrates turning 82 on January 31.

The Queen has already given Royal Assent to the legislation for Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, which the Prime Minister hailed as crossing the “Brexit finish line”.

But unlike Mr Johnson, she is not expected to make a statement to the nation regarding Brexit.

8.41am update: Brexit Day protests and celebrations expected in Ireland

A series of protests have been planned along the Irish border.

Protests will take place at six points along the Irish border by the organisation Border Communities Against Brexit, from Carrickarnon just south of Newry to Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone, Aghalane and Blacklion in Co Fermanagh, the Strabane/Lifford border and Bridgend in Co Londonderry.

Anti-Brexit campaigners will stage a demonstration at Stormont, before Brexit supporters will throw a celebration party at the gates of the seat of Northern Ireland’s devolved government from 10.30pm for a count down to 11pm.

8.37am update: SNP says ‘fanciful to believe’ Johnson will complete comprehensive EU trade deal this year

The party’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford has cast doubt on the credibility of the Prime Minister’s trade deal objectives, as he predicted there “could still be an extension to the transition”.

He told the PA news agency: “As things stand the transition expires at the end of this year.

“I cannot believe that the UK is going to be able to complete a comprehensive trade arrangement with the EU by the end of this year.

“There is no evidence that suggests that that is a tenable target. There is no nation that has achieved a trade agreement with the UK in such a timeframe, it’s – I would almost say it’s impossible.

“So there are some real questions for the UK to answer as to whether or not there could still be an extension to the transition. I just don’t think it’s a credible position, the one that he’s got.”

8.28am update: Ireland in huge warning to Boris Johnson over post-Brexit trade deal

Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has warned that without a “level playing field” there will be no EU trade deal with Britain post-Brexit.

Leo Varadkar’s deputy said any diversion from Britain on workers’ rights or competition rules will see negotiations for a future trading relationship with the EU scuppered.

He told the PA news agency: “There won’t be a trade deal if there isn’t a level playing field, one that is robust and credible.

“Standards will have to be maintained in regards to environmental standards, or workers’ rights and so on.

“That is only half of the challenge, the other half is around fair competition. If the UK is trying to derive a competitive advantage for its own companies in order to trade into the EU – if that’s the objective there will be no trade deal.”

8.14am update: EU laws that won’t apply from 11pm on Friday REVEALED – but Leave voters left disappointed

Britain will finally leave the European Union at 11pm, with Boris Johnson hailing Brexit as a landmark moment in the country’s history, but like the intense negotiations over the past three years, Britain’s relationship from the EU is far from over.

The UK will now enter a transition period until the end of 2020, in which time Mr Johnson wants to agree a full free trade agreements with Brussels, although several EU leaders fear the short timeframe makes this impossible.

The true reason behind the tight timeframe and the desperate attempts from Mr Johnson to break free from the EU have now been revealed – and it means Britain will be in a “strange limbo state”, becoming a “third country” and a “rule taker” – at least for the next 11 months.

8.09am update: UK to mark Brexit with parties, rallies and speeches by influential politicians

Nigel Farage will lead celebrations in London later today with a rally in central London.

The Leave Means Leave Brexit Celebration at Parliament Square will feature “singalong hymns” and speeches from Mr Farage, Ann Widdecombe and Julia Hartley-Brewer.

Tim Martin, the boss of pub chain Wetherspoons, and Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice, are also expected to speak at the rally, which takes place between 9pm and 11.15pm.

Big Ben will remain silent despite a high-profile campaign for it to ring out, but the gathered crowds will count down to 11pm before rounding off the celebrations with the national anthem.

The Government will mark the event with a “commemorative light display” in Downing Street just before 11pm, with a countdown clock projected on to its black bricks from 10pm.

Union Jack flags will line Parliament Square and The Mall, while Government buildings in Whitehall will be lit up in red, white and blue.

8am update: Boris Johnson to hail the “dawn of a new era” as UK leaves the EU

The Prime Minister will deliver what has been billed as an “address to the nation” by 10 Downing Street – to be released an hour before the moment the UK leaves the EU – and will strike an optimistic tone about the future.

He will say: “Our job as the government – my job – is to bring this country together and take us forward.”

Mr Johnson will call Brexit “the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act”.

Thew Prime Minister will add: “It is a moment of real national renewal and change.

“This is the dawn of a new era in which we no longer accept that your life chances – your family’s life chances – should depend on which part of the country you grow up in.”